Good bye 2011

Christmas 2011

As we make our way through the last couple of days of 2011, I leave you with this photo of our tree and the light from the wood stove.

May the peace of Christmas stay with you throughout the new year and may you be surrounded by the warmth of friends and family.

Remember to do something you love on New year's Day so you start the year right.  I will be quilting, visiting family and enjoying the outdoors and doing it all with my husband and wee dog,
Blessings to you all,

A Milestone

A reader of this blog was kind enough to let me know this morning that I now have 50 followers.  I am thrilled.  When I started writing this three years ago, I thought my family and a few friends might be the only ones who would find it interesting but as the days and months went by, more and more people signed up.
I now am fortunate enough to have regular readers from most countries in the world. I enjoy writing but it is a lot more rewarding when someone is reading the words.  I read somewhere once that if no-one is following you, you are merely going for a walk, not leading.  A writer, on the other hand, is always a writer just as a painter will always deserve the name even though they are the only one to see the canvas.  However, when a writer is paid for their words (whether monetarily or via comments) you are on a different level.  I have been fortunate enough to have reached that.  I get reimbursed through both methods.
I thank you all for your encouragement and sticking with me when what I had to say wasn't very interesting.  I thank you for your comments and your honesty.  In return, I would like to give you something.  I would like to give you one of my down loadable patterns.  There is absolutely no cost.  I will be giving you a coupon to get the pattern.  This is a limited time offer and I will give you the details tomorrow.
We are having another wonderful day.  I went into town for the mail and then took Heidi for a walk.  It was more of a bounce on her part as the snow is getting deep in the bush.  Didn't slow her down any though.  I had put some little booties on her to protect her feet from the cold.  One came off before we  left the driveway.  Another came off on the trail.  I retrieved both of them and brought them home in my pocket.  A third booties dropped off unnoticed so she bounced home with one clad foot.  Oh, well, we will find it in the spring.
Blessings,

My Favourite Day

We are experiencing my favourite type of day: cold, sunny and snowy.  It is minus 15 so not really cold but enough so that it feels crispy when you walk.  It is also cold enough that the snow doesn't stick to the dog so I won't have to keep putting her in the sink to melt off the snowballs.
I am just finishing a dress that I started ages ago and then I want to begin my manger gift.  This is an idea I got from a lady on a on line group.  You make something from fabric or a pattern you received as a Christmas gift and then donate to a charity.
My husband gave me a wall calendar that came complete with patterns and I am going to make one of them to donate.  Have my eye and a couple more I want to do as well.  I haven't been doing much sewing on my machine lately as I can't seem to put down my hand applique. However, I think I will go back to doing that while watching the news.  It is nice to have a something different to give the brain a break.
I am mentally working on (WIM instead of WIP) a applique block pattern for newbies.  I have found that circles are difficult as well as points.  This block will be a simple pattern but will contain a number of those shapes.
Have to go into the village to get the mail this afternoon and need to fill the bird feeders but, first, I am going to sew.

Blessings,

And Today Is...?

Strange Light

I am having a hard time getting back to routine.  It is only the 28th (I think) so I am not exactly behind schedule.  Of course, being retired, I don't really have a schedule but I usually have some sort of handle as to what day it is.  I guess because we didn't have church on Sunday or quilting on Monday it is understandable that I would be a bit confused.
I took this photo yesterday evening and this was the actual colour of the sky.  Everything was tinged with mauve.
Excuse me while I brag about our Heidi.  We spent Christmas day with my husband's family and Heidi had a great time being fussed by everyone.  She got a large parcel full of doggy things including shampoo, various coats and bootees and was, as is her due, spoiled.  While we were all chatting away, my husband said 'Look at Heidi". She had gone to my handbag, picked up her leash and brought it to me.  I put on the leash and took her outside where she took care of business.
We are getting a weather warning so it is nice to be safe indoors.  I have already taken Heidi for a walk; and then spent 15 minutes melting the snow from around the feet, so we don't have to go out.
Hope you all had a good and safe Christmas,
blessings,

Merry Christmas to Everyone

We awoke to a lovely day.  The sun is shining, there is snow on the ground and the sky is blue.  A perfect pre-Christmas day.
I would like to wish you all the most blessed of Christmas'.  I am sure you have been rushing around trying to make everything perfect for your family.  The house smells wonderful from the cooking, parcels are piling up under the tree and your sewing machine is starting to cool down. 
It is important to remember in the midst of all the preperations of why we are celebrating and, despite our best efforts, we cannot make everything problem free.  In fact, it is the mishaps that contribute to the memories.
Also, Christmas does not prevent tragedy.  If you are experiencing difficulties, remember you are never alone.  You might not be aware of how many people are thinking of you and care about you.  If possible, get out and get together with others in similiar situations.  Many churches and community groups serve meals to those who are in need.  It doesn't matter if your need is financial, companionship or whatever, you will be welcome.  It also helps to do something for others:  serve, donate, visit, smile.
I have been where many of you may be so I understand and I do care.
Blessings to you all,

Heidi's Christmas

I took Heidi to visit her caregiver-Auntie Irene, today and to give her her gifts.  Whenever we get near the community where Irene lives, Heidi starts getting excited.  Her caregiver is such a wonderful blessing to those of us with dogs because she loves them as much as we do.  I am sure we are not the only ones to remember her at Christmas.  She is so popular that if you don't book her a year ahead for summer weekends you will be out of luck.  She only takes in one-or if they are sociable, two, dogs as a time.
I have booked for next December already as we will be going to England for a wedding.
My husband is off to do a bit more shopping so I am wrapping presents today.  We have got a skiff of snow so many get a white Christmas after all,

blessings,

I posted this picture of Heidi last year but just couldn't resist doing it again.  She looks so mortified.  She did get a nice piece of bacon afterwards for being so understanding!

Three More Sleeps

I finished my shopping yesterday, decorated the church today and just have some sewing left to do.  I have found that it doesn't matter how early you start your Christmas preparations, there is still things to do right up to the last minute. When we lived in Alberta, we always had Christmas day at home so I had all the meal to get ready.  There was usually just the two of us but I sill liked to have a big spread.  Then, on Boxing Day, we had left overs and my husband put the meals together.
Now, we always join my in-laws for the meal and gift giving so I don't have to a lot of cooking other than the cookies etc. that are gifts or for company. I would prefer the get together to be on boxing day especially as the children are growing up but it is, what it is.
It seems that most of Canada is going to have a green Christmas.  That will be nice for those travelling.
As we count down the last few hours, I hope you have time to stop and reflect on the reason we are celebrating.
Blessings,